Public Housing

Public Housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development administers Federal aid to local housing agencies that manage the housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford.

Who is eligible?
Public Housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. Eligibility is based on the following:

• Qualification as a "Family"
• Income within eligibility limits (below 80% of median income for Okaloosa County)
• Citizenship or qualification as an eligible immigrant
• Documentation of Social Security Number(s)
• Execution of Consent Authorization Documentation
• Written authorization to conduct a background screening

Must turn in ID for all Adults, Social Security Cards for all household members, Birth Certificates for ALL household members, and proof of school enrollment for all school-age children on the application in order to be placed on the waiting list.

Required documentation may be returned to the office during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, and Friday, 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM, scanned and emailed or mailed to the office.

What happens after I apply?
All applications will be maintained in order of bedroom size and preference and then in order of date and time of application. When a family appears to be nearing the top of the waiting list, the family will be invited to an interview, and the verification process will begin. It is at this point in time that the family's waiting list preference will be verified. If the family no longer qualifies to be near the top of the list, the family's name will be returned to the appropriate spot on the waiting list. The Crestview Housing Authority must notify the family in writing of this determination and give the family the opportunity for an informal review.

Once the preference has been verified, the family will complete a full application, present Social Security number information, citizenship/eligible immigrant information, and sign the Consent for Release of Information forms.
Applicants will also be given the opportunity to update their HUD Form 92006 if applicable and if they desire.

How do I make changes to my application?
All changes must be submitted online. Click here to make changes to your application.

When and how will I be notified?
When a family appears to be nearing the top of the waiting list, the family will be invited to an interview and the verification process will begin.

How long is the waiting list?
The waiting list length varies based on families moving in and out of housing as well as families on the waiting list moving on to other housing while waiting for an apartment to become available. You will be contacted when your name nears the top of the waiting list.

How is rent determined?
At admission and each year in preparation for their annual reexamination, each family is given the choice of having their rent determined under the income method or having their rent set at the flat rent amount.

The Income Method
The total tenant payment is equal to the highest of:

1. 10% of the family's monthly income;
2. 30% of the family's adjusted monthly income; or
3. If the family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency and a part of those payments, adjusted in accordance with the family's actual housing costs, is specifically designated by such agency to meet the family's housing costs, the portion of those payments which is so designated. If the family's welfare assistance is ratably reduced from the standard of need by applying a percentage, the amount calculated under this provision is the amount resulting from one application of the percentage; or
4. The minimum rent of $50.00.

Flat Rent Pricing
1BR = $843.00
2BR = $972.00
3BR = $1,358.00
4BR = $1,695.00
5BR = $1,960.00
1BR Senior (Whispering Oaks) = $844.00
2BR Senior (Whispering Oaks) = $973.00

Ceiling Rent
The Crestview Housing Authority has set a ceiling rent for each public housing unit. The amount of the ceiling rent will be reevaluated annually and adjusted to the level required for flat rents and comply with rent option requirements during annual recertification. Affected families will be given a 30-day notice of any rent change. Adjustments are applied on the anniversary date for each affected family.

The Crestview Housing Authority will post the ceiling rents at the central office. Ceiling rents are incorporated in this policy upon approval by the Board of Commissioners.